Best trails in Whangauni National Park

Deep, moss-covered gorges and exhilarating river currents provide a grand finale to this iconic North Island waterway adventure. As the only New Zealand Great Walk that trades a track for a river, the Whanganui Journey offers a rare perspective on the country's wilderness and spiritual heritage. This final leg marks the fifth day of the expedition, paddling from the culturally rich Tīeke Kāinga to the journey's end at Pipiriki. The scenery along this stretch remains breathtaking, with the...

Accessible via the Whanganui Journey. Park up your canoe and walk up to the famous Bridge To Nowhere. It was constructed in the mid-1930s to provide road access to farms known as the Mangapurua Valley Soldiers Settlement. By the time it was completed these areas of the Mangapurua Valley were deserted, the bridge rarely used and the construction of the road to the Whanganui River abandoned.

Towering vertical cliffs and secret waterfalls create a dramatic backdrop for this stretch of the Whanganui Journey, where the river truly comes alive. Unlike a traditional tramp, this Great Walk is an aquatic expedition through the deep, sandstone gorges of Whanganui National Park. This fourth segment of the route takes you from the John Coull Hut to the unique Tīeke Kāinga. As you push off from the hut, the river enters some of its most spectacular reaches, with lush ferns and mosses...

Deep within the emerald reaches of Whanganui National Park, the river serves as a liquid highway through one of the most remote landscapes in the North Island. This multi-day paddle follows the historic footsteps of Māori and early settlers, offering a rare chance to disconnect from the modern world. This specific segment marks the third day of the expedition, departing from the Whakahoro Campsite and travelling downstream to the John Coull Hut. As you leave the confluence of the Retaruke...

The Te Maire Loop Track is a beautiful walk through the podocarp forest with beautiful colors in the canopy and plenty of tall trees with plentiful birdlife. There is a slippery stream-crossing to be done very early on in the hike so be careful. A car park with public toilets is located at the trailhead.

Floating down the heart of the Whanganui National Park offers a perspective of the North Island that few other adventures can match. This iconic journey is unique among New Zealand’s Great Walks as it is experienced entirely by water rather than on foot. Typically tackled as a three to five-day expedition, the full route traditionally begins in Taumarunui and concludes downstream at Pipiriki. For those looking for a slightly shorter but equally immersive experience, starting at Whakahoro...

Floating down the deep, bush-clad valleys of the Whanganui National Park offers a sense of timelessness as you follow the river's path into the wild heart of the North Island. This multi-day adventure is unique among New Zealand’s Great Walks, trading mountain passes for a flowing waterway steeped in cultural significance. This second day of the journey departs from the Ohinepane Campsite and heads downstream to the historic settlement of Whakahoro. The scenery along this stretch begins to...

This track in the Whanganui National Park follows the old Mangapurua Road through the 'Valley of Abandoned Dreams'. This area was a failed soldier settlement scheme from after World War I, and the forest has since reclaimed the abandoned farmland. The route is on an old, unmaintained road that can be rough and is prone to slips. The main landmark is the iconic 'Bridge to Nowhere' – a large concrete bridge built in the 1930s that stands isolated in the bush. The regenerating podocarp forest...

This track takes you from the campsite through Blue Duck Station, a working farm on the edge of the Whanganui National Park that’s focused on conservation. The station is a sanctuary for the endangered whio (blue duck), and a great deal of effort is put into protecting these native birds and their river habitat. You'll walk through a varied landscape of regenerating native bush and rolling farmland. The trail offers massive views from the ridges, looking out over the Whanganui and Retaruke...

This is part of the Whanganui Journey - a multi-day canoe or kayak journey through the Whanganui National Park. This section will take you from Whakahoro Campsite to Mangapapa Campsite. Please note that bookings in advance are required. More information is available at: Whakahoro Campsite https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/manawatu-whanganui/places/whanganui-national-park/things-to-do/campsites/whakahoro-campsite/ Mangapapa...